I am concerned about a tendon tear in my foot

How can this be treated?

Tendon injuries may be acute (occurring suddenly) or chronic (developing over a period of time). They most commonly occur in individuals who participate in sports that involve repetitive ankle motion. In addition, people with higher arches are at risk of developing injuries to their peroneal tendons. The primary reason for treating these disorders is pain. Non-surgical treatment is usually attempted first; this includes anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain and inflammation. Activity modification, footwear changes and temporary immobilisation may also help. Acute injuries and inflammation of the tendon sheath frequently respond to non-operative therapy.

Tendon tears and dislocating tendons however, often require surgery. This means opening the sheath and repairing any tendon tear. A severely damaged tendon may need to be excised and re-attached to another tendon so that its function may be preserved. If the sheath has been damaged and the tendons are dislocating, then the sheath may be reconstructed. After surgery, the ankle is normally placed in a plaster cast for 4-6 weeks before physiotherapy is commenced.

How successful is surgery on peroneal tendon injuries?

Surgery for tendon tears has 80-90% good or excellent results, with patients able to return to their previous recreational and sporting activities. Although reconstruction of the tendon sheath for chronic dislocation involves a longer rehabilitation process, a high percentage of satisfactory results can be expected.

What should I look out for following surgery?

Complications after surgery include infection, recurrence, and injury to nerves in the region (sural nerve), resulting in scar sensitivity.